Field Light Projection for In-Cab Display-Free Work Vehicle Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting systems in off-road vehicles, such as agricultural and construction machines, divert operator attention from the field to in-cabin controls, leading to operator fatigue and potential errors due to the need for continuous monitoring of displays.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system that projects information from the vehicle's controller onto the field using high-definition pixel LED field lights, allowing operators to maintain focus on the field while receiving operational data without needing to look at in-cabin displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional lighting systems and in-cabin displays are used to provide information to the operator, then information delivery is achieved, but operator attention is diverted from the field causing fatigue and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the field itself as an intermediary surface to display information. Instead of placing displays inside the cab that require operator attention, the system projects information onto the field area, making the field both the workspace and the display medium. This eliminates the need for separate in-cabin displays while maintaining operator focus on the field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions information display from the two-dimensional interior space of the cab to the external three-dimensional field space. By projecting information onto the field area rather than confining it to cab displays, the system creates an additional display dimension that does not compete for the operator's visual attention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple in-cabin lights and controls are added to the vehicle, then operational functionality is enhanced, but operator fatigue increases due to continuous monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the information display function with the field workspace. By combining what would traditionally be separate elements (in-cabin displays and the field area) into a single display medium (the field), the system reduces the number of separate controls and displays the operator must monitor, thereby reducing fatigue while maintaining operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the information display function from the cab interior and relocates it to the field area. This separation removes the distraction of multiple in-cabin displays and controls, allowing the operator to maintain focus on the field without continuously monitoring separate display elements.
3Ease of operation
If the lighting system projects information onto the field, then operator focus on field is maintained, but additional lighting control infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing lighting system multi-functional by enabling it to both illuminate the field and project information onto it. This eliminates the need for separate display hardware while maintaining operator focus on the field. The lighting system serves dual purposes: traditional illumination and information display.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is enhanced to serve multiple functions: it continues to control vehicle operations while also managing information display through the lighting system. This integration avoids adding separate control systems while enabling the new display capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables operators to stay focused on the field operation by displaying critical information directly on the terrain, reducing fatigue and errors by providing a more intuitive and operator-friendly method of data communication.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of high-definition pixel LED field lights coupled at different locations to the work vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis for an operator to control the work vehicle, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, a lighting system of the work vehicle comprising at least one array field light, and a light control module disposed in electrical communication with the controller. The light control module operably controls the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module indicative of information about the work vehicle. The at least one array field light projects the information onto the field at a location visible to the operator while operating the work vehicle.